Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Pakistani Court Charges Five Americans From Virginia with Terrorism

Five Americans face life in a Pakistani jail after officials there charged them with plotting terror attacks.

A Pakistani court charged the five men from Virginia on Wednesday with attempting to join al Qaeda-linked groups to carry out attacks in Pakistan.

Officials said they believe the group was also planning to go to Afghanistan to fight against U.S. and NATO troops.

The men, all Muslims ranging from 18 to 25 years old, deny the charges, claiming they were planning to work with charity groups in Afghanistan.

"The charges were read out by the judge. The judge asked if they accept the charges. All the accused unanimously rejected them. They said 'We totally deny the charges," said their lawyer, Hasan Dastagir.

He called the charges "lies" and said the men believe they are being framed by Pakistan and the United States.

[...]

They were arrested in December in Sardogha in Punjab province.

Their families had reported them missing in November after one of the men left behind a farewell video, saying Muslims must be defended.

Local police said they intercepted e-mails showing the group had contacted Pakistani militants who wanted to use them in attacks.

They also said the men had raised money for the cause. A hearing is scheduled for March 31. With News Wire Services.

The men, who range in age from 19 to 25, were identified by Pakistani officials and sources close to the case as Umar Chaudhry, Waqar Khan, Ahmad A. Minni, Aman Hassan Yemer and Ramy Zamzam. Chaudhry's father, Khalid, was also arrested in Pakistan and was being questioned, authorities said. The young men all are U.S. citizens, and some were born in the United States.